Hey everyone, hope your New Year is going decently so far. For this topic I’ll be talking about the various differences between the Generation 7 games and past generations, as well as, Alola as a whole. Basically, how the Alola region turned away from traditional Pokémon game play. I waited for a time when most would be through the main story to avoid spoilers. So anyway, let’s get started.
Island Trials:
In the Alola region trainers don’t fight 8 gym leaders to challenge the Pokémon League. In fact, gym battles don’t exist here! Instead, trainers undergo a series of trials to prove their worth. These trails, like many other references in Sun and Moon, are taken from Hawaiian culture and tradition. The people would undertake specific trials to prove themselves for great respect and sometimes to appease their guardians. This is first seen when the player battles the kahuna of the island to appease the island’s guardian protector: Tapu Koko.
These trials are conducted by Trial Captains and vary; they could involve battling said captain or having the player perform some sort of task to move on. There are 7 main island trials. Each trial ends with the player going up against a “Totem Pokémon.” These Pokémon are larger in size than their regular species and are cloaked in a fiery aura which boosts one or more stats at the start of a battle. These totems are also much stronger and will put up a good fight. The first totem the player faces is Gumshoos (Sun only) or Alolan Raticate (Moon only). After defeating the totem, the trial is complete and the player gets to challenge the kahuna of that respective island. It should be noted that you cannot catch any Pokémon during your trial. Once completed, you can return to the trial site and catch whatever you want.
Grand Trials:
Once the player beats a Totem Pokémon, they have the right to face the island’s respective “kahuna” or big boss. This is known as the Grand Trial. The player must face and defeat the kahuna to move on to the next island in the game. Each kahuna specializes in a specific type and each has one Pokémon holding a Z-crystal. When they send out their signature Pokémon, kahunas will often use their Z-move on the first turn. After beating them in battle, the player receives a Z-crystal from the kahuna and is now able to move onto the next island. The Z-crystal type depends on the type of Pokémon each kahuna uses; i.e. Hala uses Fighting types so he will give you the Fightinium Z as a reward. As further proof of your efforts, you also receive a stamp on your trainer passport for each island you conquer. There are 4 grand trials each with a respective kahuna and Z-crystal. Here they are in order:
*Hala: Melemele Island; Fighting types; Fightinium Z
*Olivia: Akala Island; Rock types; Rockium Z
*Nanu: Ula’Ula Island; Dark types; Darkium Z
*Hapu: Poni Island; Ground types; Groundium Z
Alolan Forms:
The Alola region introduces a new aspect to certain Pokémon which changes their appearance and typing. According to the people of Alola, this is due to the unique climate of the region. These changes only seem to affect some Kanto region Pokémon. This is most because of the deep connection between Kanto and Alola. Apparently, both regions share a long history and Kanto species were brought over to Alola. Some of these species developed new types to adapt to their new environments; i.e. Sandshrew and Sandslash becoming Ice/Steel types to adapt to the cold mountainous areas. Some Pokémon carry their changes upon evolving and some don’t change forms until evolving (like Raichu and Marowak). Although some of these forms may appear strange to many, they all serve a specific purpose. A great example is Alolan Dugdrio gaining long blonde hair for each of its 3 heads. Now this obvious looks ridiculous but their is a reason behind it. Apparently, the hair is meant to resemble Pele’s Hair which are golden hair-like structures formed by lava ash ejected into the air creating droplets which are then carried by wind to all over the island. Also called “lava glass” these threads are beautiful to look at but are sharp to the touch. You don’t won’t to get yourself tangled in this hair. This explains Alolan Diglett’s and Dugtrio’s new ability Tangled Hair which lowers the speed stat of an opponent by 1 when they make physical contact.
Another great example is Alolan Marowak. Its typing changes drastically from Ground to Fire/Ghost upon evolution. It waves its bone club (now on fire on each end) in a fashion similar to Polynesian fire dancers. This explains the fire typing. The ghost typing is a reference to the “ghost” in the Lavender Town Pokémon Tower in the Generation 1 games. After getting the Silph Scope item the player would return to the tower (a grave site for Pokémon) to get past the ghost and proceed to the top of the tower. Upon using the scope, the ghost is revealed to be the spirit of a Marowak killed while trying to protect its child Cubone from Team Rocket. Angry at humans it returned as vengeful spirit that haunts the tower. So far, only 18 Kanto Pokémon have received Alolan forms. It should be noted that only Pokémon you encounter in Alola originally will have these forms. Pokémon you transfer from another game into Sun and Moon will still retain their standard form.
S.O.S. Battles:
A new mechanic for battling wild Pokémon has been introduced called S.O.S. battles. These kinds of battles are similar to Horde Battles in Generation 6 where more than 1 wild Pokémon appears. This kind of battle involves a Pokémon calling for help from others nearby when its health has decreased. You first encounter them during your island trial against the Totem Pokémon. After some time has passed or if their health has decreased, the totem will call for an “ally” to aid in its fight. If it works, a second wild Pokémon appears to do battle turning the fight into a double battle. However, the player must fight both Pokémon with theirs being the only one on the field. Like horde battles, you cannot catch a Pokémon if both are still present. You must defeat one in order to catch the other. Now this can be a daunting task since Pokémon can keep calling allies after you defeat them creating a chain…the longer the chain, the more likely you will find Pokémon with higher IVs and shiny Pokemon.
Poké Ride:
Sharpedo Jet (top left), Charizard Ride (bottom left), Mudsdale Gallop (top right), Stouland Search (bottom right).
A new mechanic for getting around in Alola was introduced. Aptly called “Poké Ride” this feature allows you to call on certain Pokémon to aid you in certain areas, like smashing through rocks or traveling over large bodies of water. At some point in-game you are given the Rider Pager key item. With it you can call on 1 of 7 specialized Pokémon to help get around Alola. In fact, this is how most people in Alola get around. As you progress you gain access to more ride features. For example, in order to move large white boulders you need “Machamp Shove” feature available. In the beginning you only have access to “Tauros Charge.” This summons Tauros to you with all your riding gear. Tauros is able to charge while holding the B button and running to cover distances and smash through rocks on land. It’s also kind fun to run around on a Tauros like this.
Another thing you might have noticed in the beginning is that the player cannot travel from island to island using Poké Ride Lapras or Sharpedo. As you reach the island’s edge, you find the entire island blocked by unbreakable rocks. These prevent the player from traveling from one island to the next by sea using Poké Ride. You must travel either by boat or later using Charizard Glide. You may be thinking ‘I can just teach one of my Pokémon HM03 Surf…’ Unfortunately, you look in your bag and don’t have any HMs. There’s no way to get them either, with the exception of HM02 Fly (but you can only use it in battle as a move). Sun and Moon are the first mainstream games to do away with the HM system. Instead, Poké Ride has taken over. Poké Ride has replaced most HMs in-game except for HM01 Cut, HM05 Waterfall, and HM07 Dive which don’t exist either way. Dive still exists as a regular learned move by certain Pokémon.
Now some people have expressed concern that Poké Ride breaks the standard 6 Pokémon carry limit per trainer. I can understand that claim, however, in truth it doesn’t violate the limit at all. The 6 Pokémon limit only applies to Pokémon the trainer has captured with a Pokeball and must travel with said trainer. The Pokémon in Poké Ride don’t qualify. They were not captured by the player nor do they travel exclusively with the player, they are called upon. Think of it as a taxi service or Uber, there are plenty of these Pokemon running around each island and each are available to anyone in Alola to use. This is on the basis of mutual trust between the Alolan people and Pokémon. Here is the list of Pokémon available for Poké Ride and their abilities:
*Tauros Charge: smash boulders on land; land transport
*Stouland Search: search for hidden items on the ground; land transport
*Machamp Shove: moves huge blocks out of the way into square holes; replaces HM04 Strength
*Mudsdale Gallop: traverse rocky terrain; land transport
*Lapras Paddle: traverse over water; fishing; water transport; replaces HMo3 Surf
*Sharpedo Jet: smashes boulders out at sea; water transport; replaces HM03 Surf
*Charizard Glide: travel to places you’ve been before; air transport; replaces HM02 Fly
Z-Moves:
A new power comparable to Mega Evolution appears in Alola in the form of Z-moves. These Z-moves are created by utilizing Z-crystals with a certain type move used by a Pokémon. Unlike Mega Evolution, Z-crystals only change the move itself and not the Pokémon using it. It involves a deep connection between trainer and Pokémon and is not taken lightly. Once activated the trainer does a unique dance pose corresponding to the move’s type while a powerful aura surrounds the Pokémon. Every Z-crystal corresponds to a different type and uses a different kind of move based on that typing. In order to be used a Pokémon must know a move of the same typing as the Z-crystal. For example, in order to use the Z-move “Bloom Doom” a Pokémon must have a Grass type move like Grass Knot or Solarbeam. Stat moves like Bulk Up and Defense Curl can also be used to activate a Z-move (mostly powering up that stat boost even more with a possible secondary effect). There are 29 Z-moves in total. Also, like Mega Evolution you can only use 1 Z-move per battle…so choose wisely. However, you can use both Mega Evolution and Z-move power one time in the same battle. Some Z-moves can only be used by specific Pokémon. Here’s a list of Pokémon with Z-move exclusives:
*Pikachu: Castastropika; 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt (Electric)
*Snorlax: Pulverizing Pancake (Normal)
*Eevee: Extreme Evoboost (Normal)
*Tapu Koko, Tapu Bulu, Tpau Lele, Tapu Fini: Guardian of Alola (Fairy)
*Mew: Genesis Supernova (psychic)
*Raichu: Stoked Sparksurfer (Electric)
*Decidueye: Sinister Arrow Raid (Ghost)
*Incineroar: Malicious Moonsault (Dark)
*Primarina: Oceanic Operetta (Water)
*Marshadow: Soul-Stealing 7-Star Strike (Ghost)
Unleash Your Z-Power!!!
That does it for part 1. Stay tuned for part 2 where I talk about Ultra Beasts, Evolution Moves, Hyper Training, the Pokémon League, etc. Once again, thank you for reading and see you next time!
*Images used are not mine; credit for them goes to their original owners.
Poke-Navi 
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